AS YOU ARE, SO SHALL YOU BE RULED

It is told that a governor became increasingly oppressive and infringed upon people's rights, until the people of his province could no longer bear his rule and decided to send a delegation of their wise men to the Caliph, seeking his removal and the appointment of another. The delegation was led by a wise man known for his sound judgment and prudent management.

When they reached the Caliph's court, the wise man initiated the conversation by asking, "Why?" The Caliph replied, "As you are." The wise man then turned to his companions and said, "The matter is decided; let us return." When they asked him the secret of his departure, he said: "I asked the Caliph, 'Why is there this oppression?' He answered me with, 'As you are, so shall you be ruled.' This is an indication that the state of the subjects is a reflection of their own state, and that the righteousness of the people is a reason for the righteousness of those who govern them."

Whether this story is historically accurate or merely an illustrative proverb, it carries a wisdom worthy of reflection: that reforming governance is inseparable from reforming society, and that the demand for a righteous ruler must be accompanied by an honest review of the people's condition, piety, unity, and the rejection of the factionalism and disputes that tear society apart and weaken its ability to choose its representatives.

It was reported that a large delegation from one of the states headed to the capital to meet with the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, demanding the replacement of their governor and the appointment of one of their own sons in his place. However, the Chairman, as the story goes, replied that they disagree with every one of their own sons who assumes office, and therefore he would not appoint a governor from their province. The matter ended with the appointment of an outsider, serving as a lesson on the consequences of division, rather than a final judgment on the people of the state or its sons.

Choosing a ruler is not a matter of tribal or regional affiliation, nor is it a reward for one group over another. It is a trust that requires competence, integrity, justice, wisdom, the ability to protect rights, uphold the law, safeguard public funds, listen to citizens, and hold the corrupt accountable without favoritism. A ruler must be accountable to the people, and their practical legitimacy should be measured by their ability to serve the people, not by their ability to silence them.

Societies must agree on criteria for selection, place the public interest above narrow loyalties, and hold officials accountable through evidence and law, not personal vendettas. A good ruler is not created by slogans alone, just as the corruption of a ruler does not justify the people oppressing one another.

If we want good governance, we must unite our ranks, establish justice within ourselves, and place the nation above individuals and affiliations.